Staffordshire Hoard

Near the village of Hammerwich, near Lichfield, in Staffordshire, Terry Herbert found a lot of golden artefacts in a field, he called  the archaeologists so they could do a proper work in the field and find what all of those golden objects were. In the excavation they found more than 3,500 items, dated more or less between the 7th and 8th centuries, in a time when the Anglo-Saxons were in the land. Why were these items buried in this place? Why this many?

We know that from time to time, hoards like these are found, the purpose of placing them in there is unclear, or at least we are never sure why the specific hoard is placed there, it could be for safe keeping, hidding the treasure so maybe later some one could retrieve it, or it can be a great gift for a dead king or any other person of great importance to the people who may have made the burial, or a gift to the gods or landspirits, for some hoards are found in rivers also.

From this finding other 91 pieces have been discovered subsequent to the initial excavation.  It was found that 81 of these items were part of the original treasure, they were close to the original spot , 8 of these were modern farm wastes, and 2 were from different deposits altogether, a bir far away from the original spot, more or less 50 meters away.  Of these 2 items, which were little more than 2-3 centimetres in length,were two scraps of copper alloy being Anglo-Saxon harness fittings, decorated with patterns of interweaving lines. They are unlikely to be chance losses, we can't expect that harness pieces just fall off a horse and two separate losses would be very unlikely. These two items are similar to  the items in the original hoard and it is clear that people returned to the place, possibly more than once, and buried similar material in this field.

As i have told, some findings similer to this one might have been gifts to deceased people, but the original excavation of the Staffordshire hoard snown no sign of a burial mound. Local folk tell of a small hillock in the field, right where the hoard was discovered. During the initial excavation, a later field boundary curved at this point, as if it were avoiding or perhaps respecting something pre-existing, perhaps the hillock. Soil surveys suggest the hillock was formed from sand and clay, which would have affected vegetation growth at this spot, making it even more noticeable.

Most items found here, are war-like, swords, axes, helmets and all kinds of things that support those weapons, like swords hilts and so on, and even a gold cross that may have been a standard to lead troops into battle. This is most likely to be war-loot, items taken from many foes in a battlefield and placed it in here for some purpose. The Norse people were used to loot many things from their foes, and place those items on a long boat such as the Hjortspring boat from Sweden, and deliberately sink them, giving all the loot as gifts to their war god Odin if he granted them victory ( Tyr was their war god, but it was Odin that would determine which army was to be victorious ). So it is clear that to the Anglo-Saxons this might have been a common thing to do, since they didn't abandoned their pagan past and costums.

The Hillock in this field might have been to these people a natural barrow for a god or a mythical character from their stories, or even a powerful ancestor, so it is possible that the mound had such stories like these that people started to visit it often and place in it the spoils of war, to pay homage to a deity, or it might have been possible that before the Anglo-Saxons, this place had already a story like this, from some ancient powerful/magical figure to the people native to this place, some sort of a Celtic deity or being, or even a hero, so great that it became a respectful figure to the Anglo-Saxons. It might have been the place to cal upon this figure, for aid, be that in battle, or having courage, being skillful in the arts of war and things like that. People would pray to a god, a spirit, an ancestor for victory in battle or any other thing, if they granted them what they wished, they would give them great gifts, and if they won, always true to their words, they would return to the place to give those gifts and all that they could loot, thankful for being alive and achieve victory. This might explain the other objects slightly different but war-like also, placed not in the same spot but near the excavation sight, probably small offerings.

This is just speculation, a possible reason for the burial of this hoard, although very much plausible.

Note:  If you have any questions for me or if you want to see my artistic works, check out my Facebook page and make a Like if you can by following this link --> http://www.facebook.com/ArithHarger

King Frost Day - Curiosity

King Frost Day was celebrated in England, to be more accurate, in London at the 4th of February. The people of London along the River Thames used to celebrate this event between the 15th century to the early years of the 19th century. The temperatures were lower than they are now and the river was much wider, so during this period the river was completely frozen for two months, people would easily walk from one side of the river to the other. This was a day of fun and merriment, all kinds of games where made on top of the frozen River Thames, sliding with skeetes, races with horses or on foot, singing, making all kinds of snow sculptures, people would even cook and mount fairs in the place, well.. you can imagine all kinds of funny things you can make on top of frozen water. People called this day, King frost day in honor to the shadowy sovereign of winter, and this has a much older tradition associated with the trickster spirit of winter who can be a friendly and a fierce enemy at the same time, symbolizing both the beauty of winter and its harsh deadly coldness, a figure often called Jack Forst, a very familiar character portrayed as friendly, but he can also be wrathful when he dislikes something, he can even kill. This figure has its roots in the deep Anglo-Saxon traditions and also the Viking Traditions, telling us about a god called Jokul Frosti or Icicle Frost, commonly known as Old Man Winter in European Paganism, the historical ancesor of Father Christmas or Santa Claus.

Just a tiny curiosity for this day, something most people forgot in time. Another evidencia which shows us that most of our festivities which became so common in our lifes, came from much older pagan traditions.

Mythology around Runes: Ehwaz

Ehwaz

Mythology:

The most obvious mythological link with Ehwaz is Sleipnir, the steed of Odin, which was said to have eight legs reminiscent of the runic symbolism of eight hooves pounding the ground. However, there is a semi-legendary link to be found in early English History. The first Anglo-Saxons to come to England during the reign of King Vortigern were called Hengist and Horsa. These names mean "stallion" and "horse" respectively. To this day, the symbol of the English country of Kent, the Landing place of Hengist and Horsa, is still a white horse. Thissymbol is seen on a vast scale in southern England as well, where the equine form has been cut into chalk hillsides. It is also interesting to note that England itself may take its name from a horse god named Ing, who was considered to be an aspect of fertility god Frey. It is therefore likely that when Hengist and Horsa landed on the shore of England, a land that was unknown to them, they bore a banner that was emblazoned with the rune Ehwaz.

Ehwaz

"Eoh is joy to princes in the presence of warriors, a steed in the pride of its hooves, when rich men discuss it, it is ever a comfort to the restless."
                                                                   
                                                                  "The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem"

  The Anglo-Saxons of England knew this rune as Eoh, and its pronunciation is the letter "E".
Ehwaz ( Not to be confused with Eihwaz ) is said to represent a pair of horses at full gallop, their eight hooves pounding the ground. In modern terms, this has an obvious association with vehicles and travel in general. The "vehicle of the soul ", or physical body, is also symbolised by this rune. Since Ehwaz represents a team of horses, relationships of all kinds fall under the auspices of this rune.
Status, too, forms part of its symbolism, because in ancient times to own a fine horse was a mark of exalted rank, while to own a team took one into the realms of the higher aristrocracy. It is also said that apart from horses, all other demesticated animals are symbolised by Ehwaz. In terms of plants, the rune relates to the apple tree and has associations with the oak and the ash. Its associated herb is the humble ragwort.



Upright Meaning:
When Ehwaz appears either singly or as the first rune of a reading, you can be sure that things are picking up in pace and changing for the better. This rune of large concepts, of major projects and new and exciting adventures. It is also said to emphasise the meanings of other runes of the reading and to speed up the events that they foretell.
The most usual interpretation of Ehwaz indicates travel, usualy to a new location that will provide the physical and mental stimulation that you crave. However, it might equally indicate a move of home or the establishment of a partnership with a person who is as strong-willed as you are. The importance of forming a team, of running in harness and not falling out of step, is suggested, too. It also denotes the need to treat your partners with the respect that they deserve, demonstrating your loyalty, consulting them on important issues and ensuring that the bonds between you remain strong, despite the challenges that are in store. The rune may have a connection with higher education, especially if you are involved in subjects that are investigative, such as the sciences. However the Ehwaz rune manifests itself in your life, an increase in your personal status and that of those around you is certain.

Inverted Meaning:

Problems with travelling and vehicles are suggested when this rune is inverted. Your friends and family may not be in tune with your ideas, and this frustrates your ambition with unnecessary delays. There may also be health worries in connection with pets and domestic animals.





Body Part: Arms and legs.
Associated Maladies: Overwork, overtired, working one's self too much like a tired draft horse.
Action: Moving sturdily
Solution: Keep it moving, but slowly and gently

Tiwaz

"Tiw is a guiding star, well does it keep faith with princes. It is ever on a course over the mists of night and never fails."
                                                                       
                                                          "The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem"
"Tyr is one-handed among the gods and leaving of wolf and king of temples."
                                                                       
                                                          "The icelandic rune poem"
 
Tiwaz is also given as Teiwaz. To the Norse pf Scandinavia and Iceland, the rune was known as Tyr, while to the Saxons it was Tiw.
In the comon alphabet, this is the letter "T".
This rune is symbolocally connected with the North Star, which "never fails", and with vows and unbreakable oaths. The custom of holding up one's right hand while taking an oath is derived from the story of Tyr. The trees of Tiwaz are the mighty oak and the hazel. The spear is also a symbol of Tiwaz, as might be expected, since the rune represents the god of war.
The shape of the rune suggests the unvarying compass neddle, too.



Upright Meaning:

Binding oaths are indicated by Tiwaz. This may seem paradoxical, since Tiwaz broke his oath to the wolf, yet the oath was made under duress and he had good reasons to lie.
A worthy promise, made under the right conditions and for honourable reasons, should, and indeed must, be kept. Marriage vows are a case in point. Tiwaz is thought to signify lasting love, and its appearance denotes a bond that, once made, cannot be broken. However, Tiwaz is also an agressively masculine rune, so it tends to favour men rather than the women, Any relationship question that is answered by Tiwaz shows that passions will run riot because two strong-minded people will be involved. While sex will never be boring, the danger of jealousy will always be present. If the person asking the question is a woman, Tiwaz suggests that a strong and handsome man will love her fiercely and that she may have to sacrifice some thing major in her life to ensure that her attachment to him remains strong. However, once that has been done, the relationship will prosper. Love will be steadfast, or, as Shakespeare described it, "as constant as the northern star".
Tiwaz also indicates success in business and sports. It suggests that legal decisions will go in your favour, too. In these matters, as in affairs of the heart, an unshakeable conviction that what you are doing is right will give you streangth of purpose to succeed.


Inverted Meaning:

 
Selfishness, dishonourable actions and turning one's back on responsibilities are suggested when Tiwaz is inverted. Women should not trust their men so readily, because in this position the rune often denotes a shallow relationship.




Body Part: Immune system and thymus gland.
Associated Maladies: Diseases of the immune system. Lowered immunities. Allergies.
Action: Attacking.
Solution: Do everything you can to support the immune system.

Sowelo

"Sol is the shield of the sky and shining rays and destroyer of ice."
                                                                        
                                                         "The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem"





This rune was known as Sol to the Norse and as Sigil to the Anglo-Saxons of Northumbria.
In the comun alphabet it is the letter "S".
Sowelo is the rune of the sun, expressing the brightness, fertility and good fortune associated with that heavenly orb. It speaks of the life force and of the urge to grow that is found in all living things.
Sowelo's symbols include the soaring eagle, the venerable oak tree and also the juniper and bay trees.
Mistletoe, which is also associated with the twelfth rune, Jera, is another potent symbol of the sun. The shape of the rune suggests a flash of lighning descending to earth, an association that brings the formidable power of the mighty god of thunder, Thor, into the interpretation of the Sowelo rune.


Meaning:

In the harsh northern world, the sun was beloved by all. Sowelo is thus primarily a rune of love. Its appearance in a reading casts a warm glow over all of the other runes present and undoes much of the harm that they may foretell. It is also a rune of hope, promising that the sun will rise once more, even when one is in the darkest night. It is a particularly good rune to draw when one is in trouble, because it will ensure a happy outcome. One might also say that Sowelo expresses the idea of poetic justice, because it indicates that wrongdoers will gain nothing but an apt punishment for their offences.
If you have a major decision to make, then the appearance of Sowelo will reveal the truth of the situation, making your choice easier. There is a spiritual dimension to this rune, too, and when it is drawn, contact with your inner self will guide you.
In affairs of the heart, this rune is a good omen. Thor, one of the patron deities of Sowelo, was invoked at weddings in viking times, when brides wore red, the colour of Thor, and held the god's symbol, the hammer, as the vows were exchanged.
Sowelo signals a time when happiness and harmony will reign and justice will prevail. The rune's association with the sun may also hint at an enjoyable holiday. It is also said to be good sign of victory in athletics or sport.
Sowelo has no inverted interpretation.


Body Part: Adrenal glands.
Associated Maladies: Over or underactive adrenals, which can lower immune system.
Action: Fighting and winning.
Solution: Exercise. Possibly harsh allopathic medicine is needed.

Jera

"Jera is a joy to men when the gods make the earth to bring forth shining fruits for rich and poor alike."
                                                                        
                                                         "The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem"


This rune was also called Jer by the Anglo-Saxons of Northumbria, England, and Ar by both the Norwegians and Icelanders. The letter of the comun alphabet are the letters J and Y, although i use an other rune for Y but that one i will talk about in time.
Jera is connected with the yearly cycle of nature, particularly with the harvest celebrations that go with it. It is also symbolised by the strenght of the venerable oak and the humble herb rosemary. It is a rune of joy, of plenty and of rich blessings. Jera's association with celebration connects it with yuletide, or the Christmas season in todays Europe after its christianisation, and it expresses much of the warmth and happiness of this time. In this sense, Jera is symbolically assigned the winter solstice, when the sun is at its weakest, yet begins to gain strength once more. Jera is the twelfth rune and therefore the halfway point of the elder futhark. The year also has twelve months, and in ancient times the day was in addition held to cosist of thwelve hours.
The Christmas period isn't the only celebration associated with jera: the harvest festival that follows the reaping of abundant crops is also symbolised by this rune.


Meaning:

Jera is connected with the endings and new beginnings. Its presence in  a reading predicts a time when your present trials will end and you can make a fresh, optimistic start. The rune's association with the harvest also associates Jera with the concept of reaping the rewards of your past efforts. Its appearance signifies a completion of some project, which be celebrated with joy and relif. Jera shows that your optimism will not be misplaced and that personal success is very likely. A new home or the signing of contracts is also suggested by the rune. It may be that you will have to employ the services of a professional person, such as a lawyer or an accountant to put the final seal on some kind of advantageous agreement.
Jera's connection with the number twelve may suggest that a piriod of twelve months or a year is indicated.
This need not necessarily mean that you will have to wait a year for the good times to come again, just that the abundant good luck of the rune may last a considerable period, such as twelve months. After all, it may take some time and effort to reach the successful conclusion that you desire.
Like the preceding rune, Isa, Jera has no inverted interpretation.


Body Part: The liver, the Well of Plenty, the place where nutrients are broken down and "harvested".
Associated Maladies: Liver disease. Cirrhosis. Substance abuse. Toxicity - a polluted well.
Action: Working hard, but still healthy.
Solution: Long, hard, slow work to get better. Good nourishment.

Isa

"Ice is too cold and slippery, it shines like glass and is most like to gems. A floor wrought by frost fair to see."
                                                                        
                                                         "The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem"


To the vikings, this rune was known as is; to the icelanders, Iss, which literally means "ice". The respective letter in the common alphabet is the letter " i "
The shape of this rune represents an icicle: cold, hard, unyielding and capable of causing pain when grasped. By extension, ice in general is associated with the rune, especially the type of ice that makes walking difficult. It is connected with the slow-moving, inexorable glacier, too. Being notable for its hardness, Isa is also associated with the cold iron from which weapons are meade. The symbolic beasts associated with Isa are the herds of Reindeer, that roam the snowy wastes, as well as ferocious wild boars. The vegetable symbols of Isa include the alder tree and the poisonous herb henbane. The rune is also connected with the number seven


Meaning:

Like the infinitely slow-moving glacier, the force of the rune Isa is unstoppable. All you require when this rune is found in a reading is that rarest of virtues, patience. The appearance of Isa is most distressing when a question is asked about relationships, because this icy rune foretells a period of emotional cooling. Yet this is not necessarily a permanent state of affairs, because a thaw will eventually come and the icewill melt. In other affairs, Isa also slows events down to a crawl. Business partnerships may go through a rocky patch because expected events will not happen when they are supposed to. You may also find that any blocks to your ambitions will turn out to be disguised blessings because your aims and desires will change during the period of the delay.
Even though this rune is not the most comfortable to live with, and can be most distressing for afairs of the heart, the cool clarity of ice bestows a calmness conductive to quiet contemplations. The true gift of Isa is a respite from cluttered thinking, which will allow you to see your situation and prospects more clearly. It may even show you how to progress in the future to avoid the pitfalls and slip-ups that would otherwise occur.
If you are involved in a creative venture of any kind, it would be a good idea to take a pause from it. Even of you belive that you are wasting time, nothing could be further from truth. This interval will allow you to recharge your tallents, and when the thaw sets in you will thus be able to pursue your tasks with renewed vigour.
Traditionally, the rune Isa is associated with the number seven, so its appearance as a final rune could indicate a period of seven days. If it falls in the middle of a reading, it is said to emphasise the message of the other runes.
Isa is said to have no inverted meaning. However, if you choose to interpret, it in the reversed position, the immobility that it suggests can be taken as a message that you can go no further and must completely change your direction.





Body Part: Joints - which can slip freely like slippery ice, or freeze up.
Associated Maladies: Osteoarthritis. Paralysis.
Action: Blocked, stopped, stuck
Solution: Stop, block, prevent movement or action.

Wunjo

"He lives well who knows not suffering, sorrow nor anxiety, and has prosperity and happiness and a good enough house."
                                                                        
                                                         "The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem"


To the Anglo-Saxons this rune was known as Wynn, in the common alphabet it is the letter W or V. This Rune symbolizes glory, joy and spiritual reward, perfection, harmony, domestic bliss, a happy household, good fortune and trusted friends, all denoted by Wunjo. Beauty, fair skin and fine hair are also tradicionally linked to this rune. It is said to be one of the four runes of love and suggests an attraction that will blossom into a lasting relationship. The rune is airy in nature, with associations with clouds, the wind, spinning wheels and flax.


Upright Meaning:

Absolute love, the arrival of good news,, an exellent turn of fortune and the establishment of a happy home. All in all, Wunjo represents a fulfilling life or, at the very least, a period when everything will go your way. Partnerships, of course, are of prime importance when this rune appears, not only relationships of emotional nature, but those connected with business, too. Firm friendships and mutually adventageous arrangements are under the auspices of this rune. But it is in the realm of love that Wunjo truly shines. If you are unattached, someone attractive is likely to be pale-skinned and fair-haired, but we must remember that these characteristics were the ancient Norse measures of beauty and that they did not live in a multicultural society. Artistic or other creative ventures will be successful, and you may receive news from a distance, probably from a man who has jorneyed over water. In health terms, the appearance of Wunjo shows that some tender loving care will pay off and that a recovery is likely.


Inverted Meaning:

Trust becomes an issue when wunjo is inverted. Prospective partners may not be all that they seem, so don't give your heart too readily. In business, too, beware of double-dealing and don't take anything at face value. If at all possible, delay making far-reacjing judgements as you will not have all of the facts that you need to make a valid decision. Tradition says that if you have an emotional worry, you should delay your decision-making for three months. If the troublesome factors in business, put off any action for three days. Things will slow down for a while and you may become despondent about your prospectss.



Body Part: Eyes, vision, pineal gland.
Associated Maladies: Blindness and vision problems. SAD. Sleep cycle disturbances. Vitamin D deficiencies.
Action: Shining brightly.
Solution: More sunlight, or more regular daylight hours, or light treatment


Note: This was scheduled to this day.

Gebo

"Gyfu brings credit and honour which support one's dignity, if furnishes help and subsistence to all broken men, devoid of aught else."
                                                                        
                                                         "The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem"


This rune was Gyfu to the ancient Anglo-Saxons, it it the letter G, generosity and help for those who are in need are signified by Gebo. Gebo is also said to indicate love, perhaps in the more general sense of charity rather then the purely personal. Oxen make an appearance with Gebo because cattle were the measure of wealth amongst the early peoples of northern Europe. Another concept intimately connected with that of generosity is that of boundary markers. In other words, being overly generous can also be a bad thing. In addition, recognising one's own boundaries is as important as knowing how much to give. In another sense, the rune is connected with innate talents, or abilities that can be taken as gifts from the gods. This is the first rune of the series not to have an inverted meaning, so its message must be taken at face value.


Meaning:

The giving and receiving of gifts has been important in every society. As a gesture of mutual respect and a symbol of fondness, the custom is meant to bind people together. This may be why we still mark affectionate letters with an "X" to denote a kiss, while in previous ages, when most people were illiterate, documents were signed with an "X" to signify an acceptance of contract of afreement. Bringing the aspect of relationship to the fore, Gebo signifies both the donor and the recipient of a gift. All should be well as long as there are conditions and both parties know the limits of their agreement, even if nothing material is actually given. The payment for the gift may come in the form of simple gratitude, but if that is withheld, then resentment and quarrels will be the result. The same applies to the giver: a present should be given with an open heart, otherwise the giver will feel forced into an obligation and the recipient will feel worthless.
When Gebo appears, it is certain that you will feel honour-bound to help someone out very soon. However, it is important to judge exactly how much help you should give. After all, if you are too generous, then this needy person may become overly reliant upon you; if you are not generous enough, however, you could be considered a skinflint and your reputation could suffer.


Body Part: Heart - the great crossroads of the body, of the circulatory system.
Associated Maladies: Heart disease.
Action: Doing well.
Solution: Rest, relaxation, giving one's health more attention and nurturing.

Note: This was scheduled to this day.